Whew- I have been wanting to address this issue on ODV for some time, but have had a very busy week. I was not a member of the board when the restructuring of the Amateur Radio bands occurred, but I'm sure there was a flurry of complaints. I understand the commission understood the overcrowding of 75 meters, but how in the WORLD did they think the overcrowding would be solved by limiting the Generals to 200 kHz and give a full additional 200 KHz to the Extra class? The majority of SSB Nets would be confined to the upper 200, and most informal groups would be there also, as many groups would have at least a few that did not have their amateur extra. This guaranteed poor spectrum management with resultant underutilization. My original roots were in NTS. I understand the drive and dedication of those CW operators. I know overcrowding may have changed things, but I would be very surprised if any NTS ops would consider moving their nets to a portion of the band where SSB operation is allowed, with concerns of resulting QRM. Has anyone heard from any NTS nets that would consider moving, if CW for Gen/Extra was approved 3600-3700(3750) KHz? The digital allocation is a separate matter. Much of efficient spectrum management has resulted because of digital communications. For the Commission to not encourage the use of digital modes seems to be contrary to "advancing the radio art". Again, SSB QRM could be a significant factor detracting from the proper utilization of those modes. And dare I say it? Some SSB ops on those frequencies may actually TARGET digital modes and CW operations. There is a very different personality between the "top banders" and 75 meter ops. I would like to think the best of all amateurs, but I have been chased off of many 75 Meter frequencies in the past! Finally, the Commission lately seems to listen to us a little, but in the end does what they want to do anyway. I doubt we would have a significant chance of success on this issue at this time, IMHO. '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT